BOK hints at intervention as USD/KRW hits above 1,500 after Fed hold SEOUL, March 19 (AJP) - The Bank of Korea (BOK) vowed to take "stabilization actions" upon signs of volatility in domestic financial markets in renewed interventionist rhetoric Thursday after the local currency's spiral past its de facto defense line of 1,500 versus the U.S. dollar. "Uncertainties in the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy path have escalated," said BOK senior deputy governor Ryoo Sang-dai during an emergency Task Force (TF) meeting March 19, 2026

Chip rally drives KOSPI higher as Samsung, SK hynix top 40% of market cap SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - South Korean stocks roared higher on Wednesday, powered by chip heavyweights, as easing oil prices and renewed momentum in AI-linked semiconductors lifted investor sentiment. The benchmark KOSPI jumped 5.04 percent to close at 5,925.03, reclaiming the 5,900 level after opening at 5,767.10 and extending gains throughout the session. A buy-side sidecar was triggered in afternoon trading as futures rose more than 5 percent, underscoring the strength of the March 18, 2026

Asian markets edge up as Strait of Hormuz fears ease SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - Asian stock markets opened higher Wednesday as concerns over supply chain disruptions involving the Strait of Hormuz eased slightly amid the prolonged Middle East conflict. South Korea's benchmark KOSPI extended its gains from the previous session as improving sentiment toward chipmakers outweighed concerns over volatile oil prices. Market sentiment remained fragile overnight amid rising crude oil prices and the ongoing U.S. Federal Open Market Commi March 18, 2026

KOSPI outperforms on Nvidia-driven momentum despite oil jitters SEOUL, March (AJP) — South Korean equities outperformed regional peers on the back of AI-driven buying, brushing aside rising oil prices that weighed on broader Asian markets. Seoul’s main bourse drew strength from its exposure to Nvidia’s supply chain, as momentum from the U.S. chipmaker’s GTC 2026 conference continued to support investor positioning in artificial intelligence-related stocks. Brent crude rose 3 percent to $103.23 a barrel, while West Texa March 17, 2026

Asian markets broadly higher, KOSPI led by Nvidia partners SEOUL, March 17 (AJP) — Asian stock markets traded higher Tuesday as easing oil prices and renewed optimism over AI-driven semiconductor demand boosted investor sentiment across the region. All members of the “Magnificent Seven” closed higher overnight. Nvidia rose 1.65 percent, Tesla gained 1.11 percent, Amazon advanced 1.96 percent, Meta Platforms climbed 2.33 percent, Alphabet added 1.09 percent, Microsoft rose 1.11 percent and Apple edged up 1.08 percent. March 17, 2026

Shinsegae signs deal with US AI startup to build huge data center in South Korea SEOUL, March 17 (AJP) - Shinsegae said Tuesday it has agreed to build a mega data center for artificial intelligence (AI) in South Korea in partnership with a U.S. AI company. The retail giant's chairman Chung Yong-jin met Reflection AI CEO Misha Laskin in San Francisco last Sunday and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to form a strategic partnership to build the 250-megawatt data center. The AI startup's co-founder Laskin, along with Ioannis Antonoglou - a March 17, 2026

Asian stocks diverge, KOSPI ends positive despite jittery won SEOUL, March 16 (AJP) -Asian stock markets diverged Monday as oil prices climbed above $100 in response to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. With investors weighing energy risks and global demand signals, Japan and China edged lower, while Korea bucked the regional trend on strong semiconductor gains. Brent crude rose 1.6 percent to $104.83 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude gained 0.6 percent to $99.30, keeping energy security concerns at the center of regional tra March 16, 2026

Korea's default risk premiums rise faster than others, yet below 5-year average SEOUL, Mar. 16 (AJP) - South Korea’s sovereign risk indicators are rapidly rising in line with the volatility in capital markets and exposure to oil supply disruptions, potentially further undermining foreign investor confidence in Korean securities. South Korea’s five-year credit default swap (CDS) premium surged 23.83 percent in the past month, exceeding the gain of around 10 percent in China’s CDS and Japan’s remaining largely flat at around 1 percent March 16, 2026

Airlines set to hike fuel surcharges amid rising oil prices SEOUL, March 16 (AJP) - Airlines are raising their fuel surcharges due to soaring oil prices amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Fuel surcharges are applied on both international and domestic flight routes based on changes in the average price of fuel traded on Singapore's spot market. According to aviation industry data released on Monday, the average price of Singapore jet fuel, known as MOPS, is projected to reach at least 300 cents per gallon for the peri March 16, 2026

Asian markets open the third Gulf war week lower  SEOUL, March 16 (AJP) — Asian stock markets traded lower Monday as investor sentiment remained fragile with the Iran war entering a third week and the Strait of Hormuz still effectively cut off, keeping energy and security risks at the center of regional trading. Reports that President Donald Trump is pressing U.S. allies and major Asian importers to help reopen the waterway added to the sense of unease. South Korea’s KOSPI swung from early gains into negative ter March 16, 2026